[for Phedre]

[travelingprince]

It had been some time since I had gone to the shrine of Elua to pay my respects. I had been avoiding the place since coming upon first Phedre, then Joscelin there; in fact I had been avoiding the two of them altogether. It was simply too complicated to be around them, too uncomfortable, now that I had admitted what I felt for Phedre. I was

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[loveasthouwilt]

I had sought Hyacinthe out often over the past few weeks, but he had been very careful never to let us be alone. Now I had to own I was blatantly following him, though he seemed so lost in his thoughts that he did not hear me ten steps behind him. He entered the temple and I hung back, wondering if he planned to stay there long, if I ought to wait, if I ought to join him.

In the end I went in. It seemed silly for me to wait, especially when the thing I wanted (time alone with him) could be had easily simply by taking a few extra steps. Once inside, I latched the gate behind me, then went to light a taper, moving from there to the other candles and lanterns scattered about the garden, bringing a little more light to the evening.

[travelingprince]

I didn't hear her footsteps, but I noticed the shift in the light, and the breeze brought the scent of her hair. I didn't look up. "Hello, Phedre," I said, keeping my gaze on Elua's marble feet.

[loveasthouwilt]

"Delaunay always used to scold me for trying to do things in poor light," I said softly, pitching my voice to carry to him. "He said I would develop a squint." Finished, I set the taper in the holder on the altar and came to stand before him, cupping his jaw in my splayed fingers and smoothing my thumbs over his brows. "I would not wish the same on you," I said, offering a light smile.

[travelingprince]

"My time on the other island has left me lines enough," I said, catching her hands in mine and holding them there for a moment before easing them away from my face. I had beem trying very hard to avoid being alone with her for any length of time. It was not the best of ideas for me to remain here with her, and I sighed. "I was just leaving," I said. "Don't let me disturb your prayers."